The sky is the limit for talented Kiya

KIYA Mac (McFarlane), is eighteen years old and starring in Born to Perform at The Lyric Theatre on December 10. And she is becoming a star in her own right, especially on the acoustic guitar.

Kiya, who lives in Glenvista, was a learner at St Martin’s until she reached Grade 10 after which she was home-schooled. She is matriculating this year through British International Distance College (BIDC). Always a “performer” from a young age and with parents, Justine and Keith, who are in the entertainment business, Kiya learnt her talents from the best.

She appeared as a presenter in the 2015 Born to Perform edition, and this year she will be singing and dancing as well as playing the guitar throughout the show. Kiya will be playing a solo piece in the Beatles Medley, Hey Jude, and in the finale with The Graeme Watkins Project. “I’m very excited and the rehearsals have been going really great,” said Kiya.

This year started with a bang when she was a backstage dresser at the Pieter Torien Theatre for Jonathan Roxmouth in I’m Playing your Song and then she appeared on the Daniel Baron music video for Children of the Sun. In addition, she featured as an extra in the MNet short film, Starry Night, worked in a show with the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra. She also appeared on Furry Tales (on SABC 1’s YO-TV) as a guest storyteller, also writing a song for the programme and was in two events, one with PJ Powers and the other with Timothy Moloyi.

Her greatest achievements this year though must be achieving Associates with Trinity Guild Hall for Performance Arts, and gaining her Grade Six Rock School on electric guitar with distinction and Grade Six vocals with a merit.

Next year Kiya will be beginning a course with Gerrie Ponsegrouw who owns SA Music Institute (SAMI), studying an advanced course and she will be starting a few new bands.

“I love everything about the entertainment industry – acting, singing, playing musical instruments, even being backstage. As long as I’m involved in the entertainment industry, I’ll be happy,” added Kiya, and this coming from a young woman who used to be incredibly shy is certainly an achievement in its own right! “I was so shy and wouldn’t even speak in my class at school. Playing the guitar has given me confidence and I’m now in my happy place.”

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